Newport MS John Griffiths speaks out against solar farms
He said: "Almost a fifth of Wales's most important site for wildlife is on the Gwent Levels—and a big chunk of the Gwent Levels is in my constituency of Newport East.
"Across the landscapes and watercourses of the Levels, there is a rich assemblage of biodiversity, which is critical to the area and its future."
Mr Griffiths praised the efforts of organisations such as the Gwent Wildlife Trust for their work in reintroducing species like the water vole to the area.
He said: "The grips, ditches, reens, and main rivers provide a safe and thriving habitat for a whole range of different species, including the water vole, which I am pleased to champion here in the Senedd.
"And through the work of organisations such as the Gwent Wildlife Trust, they have been successfully reintroduced back into sites such as Magor Marsh nature reserve, and have then spread outwards from that particular location."
However, Mr Griffiths expressed concerns about the threats posed by large-scale solar farm developments.
He said: "There are very real threats to the Levels, particularly at the moment, from developers looking to take forward large-scale solar farms, taking advantage of the area's topography and closeness to the grid.
"This has caused a great deal of concern to the Wildlife Trust, local communities, and environmental groups in general."
Research by the Gwent Wildlife Trust found that if all the current solar development proposals were built, up to 19 per cent of the total area of the Levels' Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) could be within development boundaries.
This would amount to approximately 1,038 hectares.
Mr Griffiths acknowledged the need for more renewable energy projects but stressed the importance of location.
He said: "We all know, of course, and we all say it, and it's very true, we do need more renewable energy projects; we need very many more; and hopefully we'll be fully dependent on renewable energy in the UK and in Wales before too long; and solar energy will have a very important part to play.
"But, you know, it's often said, but it's very true to say, and it needs to be said, that obviously, developments always have to be in the right place, and I believe very strongly that the Gwent Levels is not the right place."
He pointed to the existing solar farm at Llanwern on the Levels, where the Welsh Government's post-construction monitoring report found declines in lapwing numbers, key bee species, and bat activity.
Mr Griffiths concluded: "I think it's quite clear that if further solar applications are allowed to go ahead, we risk detrimentally changing the nature of this incredibly important area for biodiversity, for cultural heritage, and for unique landscape; changing it for good and destroying the vital biodiversity that we are so lucky to have on our precious Gwent Levels."
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